Author: Dental Express

How to build the best dental plan for your child

Let’s face it. Nobody likes going to the dentist.

Not even adults.

When’s the last time you saw someone get excited about their upcoming dental cleaning?

It’s incredibly rare.

And it’s even rarer to see a child happy about the notion of a doctor poking around in their mouth for fifteen or twenty minutes.

As an adult, you know how important it is to take good care of your teeth. So, you do what you have to do.

But how can you impart that knowledge to your kids? How do you show them the significance of creating healthy dental habits?

And more importantly, where do you start?

In this article, we’re going to tackle issues such as:

When to take your child in for their first dental visit

When to start brushing and flossing their teeth

Fun ways to get your children’s dentistry excited (or at least less fussy) about going to the dentist and taking care of their teeth, and

Where to look if you need a children’s dentist in San Diego.

We’re going to rinse away all the confusion about how to craft the best dental plan for your kids. By the time you finish reading, you’ll feel like a bonafide kids first pediatric dentistry care professional!

Knowing when to start your child’s dental care is important. Ask your local dentist and take your child in as soon as possible.

When Should You Take Your Child to the Dentist?

The short answer is the sooner, the better! 

More specifically, though, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry  (AAPD): 

Within six months of their first tooth coming in, and no later than twelve months of age.

That might sound early, but there’s a good reason for it.

Tooth decay is the most common infectious disease affecting children in the US today. In fact, 28% of kids have cavities by the time they reach kindergarten.

As upsetting as these statistics are, they’re not surprising considering all the sugar-loaded foods and drinks that kids consume every day.

Not to mention, when a child’s teeth first come in, the enamel is still immature and more susceptible to developing cavities.

That’s why the AAPD strongly encourages you to establish a “dental home ” for your children as soon as possible.

A dental home is a relationship between you and your dentist that involves the proper maintenance and supervision of you or a loved one’s dental health.

Building a dental home is crucial to starting your children’s dental care off on the right foot, getting a head start in the fight against cavities, and saving you money. 

Plus, the more you take them to your local San Diego children’s dentist when they’re young, the quicker they’ll get used to it. It also helps to find a dentist in your area who works well with kids.

That’s where we come in.

At Dental Express, visits to the dentist are nothing to stress about. Your children’s dental cleaning is a fun learning experience that leaves them feeling comfortable and curious about dental health.

With six locations in the San Diego area, access to children’s dental services is simple and close to home. Schedule your dental appointment today.

When to Start Flossing Your Baby’s Teeth

Flossing is a vital part of your children’s dental care routine because it helps get rid of plaque in hard to reach places that brushing can’t cover.

If you don’t regularly floss your child’s teeth, plaque left behind from brushing will start to eat away at their enamel leading to tooth decay and cavities.

So, when should you start?

According to the AAPD, flossing should start whenever two teeth touch each other, usually between two and two and a half years old.

Of course, everyone’s teeth come indifferently. So, you may only have a couple in the front or back to floss depending on how spaced out they are. Just make sure to get in between all teeth that happen to be touching each other, and you’ll be in the clear.

Kids take at least a couple more years to get adjusted to flossing on their own than brushing. They usually adapt to it around eight to ten years old.

Pre-threaded flossers can help them adjust quicker, as they’re easier to control and only require one hand to use.

Making At-Home Dental Care A Blast for Your Little Ones

Getting your kids excited about at-home dental care doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. There are plenty of fun ways to spice up your toddler’s teeth-cleaning routine:

• Play dentist at home: have a stuffed animal with some teeth? Throw on your toy stethoscopes and get to work; Snuffles is way overdue for a checkup! You could also take turns giving each other checkups, swapping between playing doctor and patient. Playing dentist with your toddler is the perfect time to bond with your little one while teaching them the importance of taking care of their teeth.
• Read books about going to the dentist: get them laughing about the dentist with a funny story, and they’re sure to be more relaxed at their next checkup. Books are a fantastic way to familiarize them with the idea of going to the dentist while learning about dental health.
• Create a habit tracker: print out a brush and floss chart with the days of the week on it to keep track of your child’s dental habits. Fill it out with stickers that they love and give them lots of praise when they complete it. You could even have a reward system for when they finish a full month. The possibilities are endless!
• Make a game out of it: if you’re helping your toddler brush or floss, sing a silly toothbrushing ballad to make them smile. Or if they’re old enough to brush on their own, you can brush at the same time, and whoever goes the longest wins. Keep a tally of points based on their brushing and flossing habits. Anyone who brushes gets five points, and flossing is worth ten. Whoever has the most points at the end of the week wins a prize!

Implementing these fun, lighthearted activities will make seeing your San Diego children’s dentist a lot less scary and uncomfortable for your children. It may even get them excited about going to get a checkup!

Making the Dentist Exciting for Your Kids

When you go to your children’s dentist in San Diego , it’s crucial to make it a positive experience in your child’s life.

Waiting until there’s an issue to take them in will cause them to associate negative feelings with going to the dentist.

And, nobody needs help developing a bad taste in their mouth about the dentist.

So, you should try to maintain a regular dental care routine for your child and do your best to make it a fun, loving experience!

Here are some helpful tips for turning your next San Diego children’s dentist visit into an adventure:

• Start them early: establishing a dental home as early as possible shows your kids that going to the dentist is a normal part of life. If they’re used to going, they’ll have less anxiety when it’s time for a checkup.
• Radiate positivity: part of making your children feel comfortable at the dentist is how you act and talk to them about it. Give them lots of love. Talk positively about their teeth. Sit them on your lap during the checkup to comfort them. Show them with your actions that the dentist is safe and something to be excited about.
• Have fun: this is your chance to get creative! Have a sing-along in the car on the way to the dentist. Play a fun game with your toddler in the waiting room. Let them take their favorite stuffed animal or blanket with them, so they feel more comfortable. Let them bring their favorite toy with them to show it off to all the staff. The more they feel at home, the easier it is for them to have fun!
• Rewards and praise: often, dentists will have prizes for kids who mustered up the courage to brave the dentist chair. Things like stickers or toys are the perfect way to reinforce a positive experience. After the appointment, tell them how great they did. Ask them how much fun they had and how friendly the dentist was. If your little one was particularly good during their appointment, you could even offer to take them somewhere fun afterward!

Your Children’s Dentist in San Diego

In San Diego, Dental Express is your dental home. Specializing in children’s dental services, we take our role in your little one’s health care seriously.

We encourage parents to use the “practice” visit plan. Bring your kids with you. Let them enjoy the waiting area, play with the trains, and adjust to a new environment. The first time in the office is not a check-up, just a visit.  Visiting the office before your child’s first actual visit helps introduce your child to a new building with new sights, sounds, and smells. The practice visit reduces anxiety and gets them excited to come back for the actual visit.

Starting with their first actual visit, we assess and anticipate their dental needs to build a plan that will keep their teeth healthy and happy for the long term. After the first visit, we recommend two appointments per year for regular dental cleanings and checkups.

When to Start Brushing Your Child’s Teeth

The AAPD  states that you should begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their first tooth comes in.

But be proactive!

You can start a daily dental routine for your baby before their teeth come in.

Start rubbing their gums with a comfortable washcloth or soft toothbrush every day to build the habit, so you’re ready when their teeth start coming in.

To minimize the risk of cavities, brush your baby’s teeth with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day using a soft-bristled brush. Make sure the brush has a small head with a large handle.

As for the amount of toothpaste to use, a rice-sized amount will do the trick before three years of age.

When they’re between three and six years old, you can bump it up to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

Once they’re old enough, it’s essential to teach your little ones the right way to brush their teeth.

You may have to guide them while brushing until they get the hang of it. Children usually don’t have the coordination to do it themselves until around six years old.

Electric toothbrushes are an excellent way to make up for the lack of coordination. They’re easy for kids to operate and don’t require as much movement.

Soon enough, you’ll be able to step back and supervise them as they become their own dental care professionals!

We provide all of our patients with education on infant and toddler best practices and tips on how to fight cavities at home, empowering you to create a healthy dental environment outside the office.

Getting your kids excited about the dentist is no easy task. It takes a lot of time and effort.

We know you fight the uphill battle at home. Trust us with your children’s dental care. We’ll make sure that by the time your little one leaves our office, they’ll be excited to come back and see us again!

At Dental Express, we offer a variety of procedures, including porcelain veneers, to help our patients to improve their smile and oral health. After an initial consultation, we can determine which procedures will help you achieve your smile goals. We also can address many of the most frequently asked questions regarding whiten veneers, such as “Do veneers stains?” and “How long do veneers last?” This allows our patients in San Diego, CA to make the most informed decision for their oral health.

What are veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin porcelain shells that are bonded directly to the front of a patient’s teeth. At Dental Express in San Diego, CA, our team uses this Cosmetic and Family Dentistry procedure to improve both how a smile looks and functions. We can fix a broken, chipped tooth, or cracked teeth, as well as yellowing or gaps in a smile, helping to improve oral health quickly. During your first visit, one of our dentists will perform a thorough dental exam to evaluate the current state of your teeth and gums and determine if you’re a good candidate for whitening veneers.

Who is the best candidate for porcelain veneers?

The best candidates for porcelain veneers shouldn’t show any signs of periodontal disease or tooth decay. During your exam, if we detect any dental problem, it will need to be fixed before you get veneers. Ultimately, how much tooth enamel you have determines whether or not you are an ideal candidate. We use veneers to improve the color, length, size, shape, and alignment of the teeth.

How to take care of veneers

Caring for porcelain veneers ensures they last as long as possible. While porcelain veneers don’t usually stain, the edges of them can develop brown lines without proper oral hygiene. To protect your veneers, follow these tips:

1. Follow an at-home oral hygiene routine diligently: Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy. This helps reduce the chance of developing gum disease.

2. Have annual dental exams and bi-annual dental cleanings: Scheduling these important preventive appointments allows you to know early about any oral health issues that need to be fixed.

3. Use a night guard: For patients who clench or grind their teeth, a custom night guard helps protect natural teeth and veneers.

4. Don’t chew on objects: Never chew on ice, nails, or a pen as this can lead to cracks or breaks in your veneers or your natural teeth.

5. Refrain from eating or drinking stain-causing food and beverages: Veneers don’t usually stain, but if you consume a lot of stain-causing foods or beverages, such as coffee, tea, or wine, stains may develop.

Can I whiten porcelain veneers?

Your natural tooth enamel is what absorbs the colors of the foods and drinks you consume. While veneers don’t usually stain, they can develop brown lines around their edges. While Smile Teeth Whitening veneers is difficult and not advised, a professional dental cleaning can help remove and reduce stains that you may have developed. For severe cases, you may need to replace your veneers.

Protect your veneers and help them look their best

At Dental Express, our team can address different dental problems with porcelain veneers. Veneers can last 10 –­ 15 years with a regular oral hygiene routine and regular dental exams and cleanings. To learn if veneers can help repair your smile, call to schedule a consultation today in San Diego, CA.

When your persistent bad breath affects your self-confidence, it’s time to figure out what is causing it. Many of our patients at Dental Express in San Diego, CA ask us, “Do cavities cause bad breath?” During a dental exam at our dental office, our professional team can evaluate your oral health and discuss your oral hygiene routine to help fix your bad breath. At this visit, we can look for signs of tooth decay.

Causes of bad breath

Bad breath occurs because of the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth. There are many causes of bad breath, including:

• Poor oral hygiene

• Bacteria on the tongue

• Gingivitis

• Dry mouth

• Tooth decay

If your bad breath is due to tooth decay, cavity treatment is necessary. When bacteria get stuck, it can accumulate in decay pockets, which makes it hard to keep your mouth clean and, in turn, your breath fresh. So, yes, cavities can cause bad breath.

What is a cavity?

Cavities are damaged areas of a tooth that develop into holes. When left untreated, they will get larger and affect the deep layers of a tooth and, sometimes, require dental root canal therapy. They can lead to infection, tooth loss, and pain. Regular dental exams, and good brushing and flossing habits at home help protect you against developing a cavity.

Some signs that you may have a cavity include:

• Tooth sensitivity

• Toothache

• Pain while chewing or biting

• Holes or pits on the teeth

• Staining on the surface of your tooth

Regular dental exams can detect a cavity early on before it damages your tooth further. When you’re experiencing mouth pain or a toothache, it’s important to schedule an appointment at Dental Express in San Diego, CA as soon as possible.

Tooth decay treatment

Tooth colored fillings can help restore a tooth, both in appearance and function. After we remove the decay from the tooth, we will seal the tooth with a composite resin tooth-colored filling. The tooth is polished to match your existing teeth. Composite resin is a durable material that can correct excessive wear from teeth grinding and chips too. It blends well with natural teeth and can be used on both front or back teeth. If you have metal fillings, we can remove them and replace them with tooth-colored fillings to improve your health and create a beautiful, natural-looking smile. Your tooth-colored filling needs to be cared for the same as a natural tooth with regular brushing and flossing.

Learn more about tooth decay treatment to improve bad breath

One of the easiest ways to prevent bad breath and cavities is with an efficient oral hygiene routine at home. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once to ensure you remove all bacteria and food particles that can lead to a cavity. To learn more about how to treat bad breath, schedule an appointment with our professional team at Dental Express in San Diego, CA, today.

When you’re experiencing a dental emergency, such as a cracked tooth, it’s important to seek emergency dental care at Dental Express in San Diego, CA quickly. Our emergency dentists help patients of all ages with different dental emergencies. It’s important to never delay getting dental care from an emergency dentist, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This can lead to infection, severe pain, or the need for other procedures, including an extraction later on. When you’re experiencing cracked tooth pain, call our dental office immediately.

What causes a tooth to crack?

Teeth can crack because of many issues, including:

• Fillings so large the tooth weakens

• Chewing or biting hard objects

• Trauma

• Pressure from grinding the teeth

• Age

Regardless of why your tooth has cracked in San Diego, our emergency dentists can resolve your pain and repair your tooth.

Diagnosing a cracked tooth

To help diagnose a cracked tooth, an emergency dentist at Dental Express will perform a visual examination and feel for a crack. A dental dye can also be used to see if a crack stands out. Gum inflammation usually is a significant indicator of a cracked tooth. An X-ray can detect poor pulp health, which shows a crack.

How does a dentist fix a cracked tooth?

Depending on your situation, our emergency dentist can offer immediate treatment or prescribe antibiotics to resolve an infection first. Ultimately, the treatment type used depends on the cause of your cracked tooth. Some treatments used to treat a root canal cracked tooth include:

• Antibiotics

• Tooth colored fillings

• Root canal therapy

• Extraction

• Crowns

Will insurance cover a dental emergency?

At Dental Express in San Diego, CA, we will contact your insurance to verify if they will cover your treatment plan. For patients without insurance, we offer different payment methods and low-interest financing to make your dental procedure more affordable. Never delay dental care due to the cost of treatment, as it can lead to more serious oral health problems in the future.

Learn more about emergency dental care for a cracked tooth

When you’re experiencing a dental emergency such as a cracked tooth, our emergency dentist in San Diego, CA can resolve your pain and discomfort. We can manage your pain and repair any injuries to your teeth or gums. Fast treatment is imperative to preserving your oral health and preventing more serious problems, so contacting our dental office quickly is necessary.

What foods and drinks can damage your teeth. It’s no secret that what you eat and drink affects your dental health. At Dental Express in San Diego, CA, we offer healthy eating tips to our patients to help them protect their teeth and gums. During a dental exam with our San Diego dentist, we can discuss what foods damage the teeth and offer tooth-healthy food suggestions. When you consume food or beverages that contain a lot of sugar or acid, this sugar reacts with the bacteria in your plaque to produce acid. This will cause erosion, which leads to damaged tooth enamel and tooth sensitivity. Ultimately, a balanced diet helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss for our patients.

What foods are good for your teeth?

Tooth decay damages the teeth and will require a filling. In severe cases, an extraction may be necessary. This decay occurs when sugar reacts with the bacteria found in plaque, which forms an acid that attacks the teeth and destroys your tooth enamel. When this occurs, your enamel breaks down, and a cavity forms. This decay process happens quickly, which makes it important to have regular dental exams and dental cleanings to detect problems early on. Processed food and foods high in sugar are most prone to damage your enamel.

Foods that damage teeth

Foods that are sticky and full of sugar are the most damaging to your teeth. This is because when they are sticky, they are harder to remove, which allows bacteria to remain on the tooth and for tooth decay to begin. Some foods that damage teeth in San Diego, CA include:

• Popcorn: This gets stuck between the teeth easily and promotes bacteria growth, leading to tooth decay. It can also cause sensitive gums.

• Hard candy: Because of its texture, hard candy can cause teeth to crack. These candies are full of sugar and linger in the mouth for a while, which leads to damage.

• Citrus: Anything that is high in acid can cause tooth decay. If you do eat citrus, rinse your mouth with water after eating to remove as much acid as possible.

• Coffee or tea: Not only can it lead to stains on your teeth, but when you add sugar to these beverages, they can make the teeth feel sticky.

• Soda: Sugary beverages, such as soda, are bad for the teeth as they contain a lot of sugar (which causes tooth decay), and they are acidic (which causes tooth erosion).

What is erosion?

Acidic food and beverages lead to erosion, the gradual dissolving of tooth enamel. A product that is high acid has a lower pH. Orange or grapefruit juice, milk, red wine, and soda are all erosive beverages. During a dental exam, our San Diego dentist can determine if you consume too much acid.

What foods are good for your teeth?

Our professional dental team recommends an anti-inflammatory diet, which has been proven to promote more healthy teeth and gums. Foods that are high in fat or refined sugars lead to inflammation. Healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocado, or fatty fish, all are good foods for teeth and gums.

A healthy snack is an alkaline food that is low in acid. Some healthy snacks include:

• Raw vegetables

• Low-fat cheese

• Nuts (portion control)

• Crackers

• Yogurt (low or no-sugar varieties)

Learn how your oral health and your teeth are related

During regular dental exams and routine dental cleanings at Dental Express, our professional dental team can discuss your diet with you to determine if it’s causing oral health problems. We offer you helpful tips on food and dental health that can improve your oral health in San Diego, CA. To schedule a dental examination or routine dental cleaning, call our professional team today.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

How your smile looks is a major concern for many of our patients at Dental Express in San Diego, CA. Our dental practice offers professional at home and in office teeth whitening to help brighten your teeth up to several shades and help you achieve your dream smile. Our team uses professional-strength gel that reaches beneath the surface of your teeth to remove deep stains. When you’re looking for cosmetic dentistry procedures, like teeth whitening work, to improve your smile’s appearance, schedule a consultation to learn more about teeth whitening in San Diego.

Types of teeth whitening

Based on your smile goals, you can choose to have teeth whitening in our dental office or use at-home natural teeth whitening. Dental Express offers two popular brands of teeth whitening to our patients:

1. Speed Teeth Whitening: This at home teeth whitening kit includes four gel applications, trays, and an LED light. After just 20 minutes, you will see a noticeably whiter smile. Some patients may need multiple kits to see their full results. This is because the results are more subtle, so this is recommended for those with minor stains or yellowing.

2. Boost Teeth Whitening: Our in office teeth whitening whitens teeth with a gel that is applied to the surface of the teeth, which is activated with the help of an LED light. Your teeth will be whiter and brighter in just one hour. Our cosmetic dentist can help you choose the best shade for your teeth and smile goals. This option is recommended for patients with darker stains.

Does teeth whitening hurt?

No, it doesn’t. We apply a barrier to protect your gums from being irritated by the products used during teeth whitening. The only reported pain or discomfort you may feel is after your session with tooth sensitivity, which should stop in a few days.

How long will my teeth whitening results last?

Ultimately, routine dental exams and cleanings are important to maintaining your results. An exam at Dental Express will look for any tooth damage, decay, or signs of gum disease. Any dental issue detected during this exam must be resolved before teeth whitening treatment can commence. Follow-up sessions are recommended every few months to maintain your pearly whites. Refraining from stain-causing foods or beverages, such as berries, red wine, or coffee can also help ensure your teeth stay white.

Will insurance cover teeth whitening near me?

Because teeth whitening is considered cosmetic and not medically necessary, it isn’t usually covered by insurance. We offer low-interest financing and monthly payment plans to help make the cost of this cosmetic dental implants procedure affordable for all of our patients in San Diego, CA.

Learn if you’re a candidate for professional teeth whitening

Teeth whitening can offer fast and dramatic improvements to your smile. When you’re interested in learning more about the teeth whitening types we offer at Dental Express in San Diego, CA, call our office to schedule a consultation. We can evaluate your oral health to determine if you’re a candidate for this procedure.